Atlanta Indie Music Scene: Choachi

By Lauren Sabia

Last Updated May 15, 2026

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At a Glance:

• Atlanta indie band Choachi blends classic rock, grunge and psychedelic influences into loud, high-energy performances.
• The group formed through friendships built in Atlanta’s local scene and released its first music in 2023.
• Inspired by artists like Tame Impala and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Choachi embraces a hard-hitting sound.
• Frontman Diego Hermoza’s background in audio engineering helped shape the band’s bold production style.
• Choachi has become a rising presence in East Atlanta and Little 5 Points venues, especially Aisle 5.
• Following the release of their debut album, “No Sleep Here, Just Noise,” the band is preparing multiple new projects and regional tours.

In a city full of indie gems waiting to be discovered, and a plethora of venues putting on shows every night, Choachi, is a relatively new band that packs a whole lot of energy into their music. 

Diego Hermoza and Matt Boone, both singers and guitarists, met at a local venue where Boone was playing with his former band, New Tree. Hermoza was blown away by Boone, drummer Seef Anam and guitarist John Scherer’s performance and described himself as their “No. 1 fan,” and began frequenting their shows.

One day, they asked Hermoza if he made music, too; he enthusiastically said yes, and they asked him to join the band. The other members moved away or had kids, but Boone and Hermoza never stopped making music together. 

Drummer Ryan Laukhuf and bassist Jesse Chapman eventually jooined, and Choachi released its first song in 2023. Griffin Dangler, their previous bass player, was a huge contributor as well and is now a dad and the officiant of Hermoza’s upcoming wedding. 

“Myself, Griffin and Matt built this sort of songwriting rapport,” Hermoza said. 

They named the band after a mountaintop in Colombia, Hermoza’s home. He reminisced about a time when he was 15 years old and heading up to the top with his cousins while listening to the Strokes and Metallica, and knowing that one day he would use “Choachi” for something special.  

The band of four is heavily inspired by music from the ‘70s and ‘80s, as well as elements of psychedelic indie rock.

“Classic rock is definitely baked into our bones,” he explained. “We all probably grew up listening to stuff older than we are just because we thought it was cool and moved into listening to grunge music, like Nirvana and Rage Against the Machine.”

Their genre is difficult to pin down, but they are honored when listeners tell them they remind them of Tame Impala or King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.  

Hermoza previously worked as an audio engineer for Castile Hills Studio, where he recorded numerous Atlanta rappers. He loved the exposure to other genres, learned a lot about vocal production and said working with artists who truly cared about their craft was inspiring for his own musical journey.

“So, I just want stuff to hit hard,” he added. “If we’re going to have loud drums, let’s make them loud… like, let’s be in your face. There’s no reason to hide, you know?”

Hermoza described the lyrics of “Bastard” as looking directly into a camera and speaking your mind. You can stream all their songs, including their 2025 debut album, “No Sleep Here, Just Noise,” anywhere you get your music.

You can also catch a Choachi show at venues around East Atlanta Village and Little 5 Points, with their favorite stage at Aisle 5. They dream of playing at The Tabernacle, the historic Downtown venue, one day. 

To those looking to explore the indie music scene, he said, “I would highly, highly suggest that on any given weeknight, just walk up to The Earl. Get some food and see who’s playing there, or go walk around Little 5 Points and see who’s playing there, because you never know who it’s going to be. The cover charges are like 15 to 20 bucks, and if you don’t like it, the bar is right next to you.” 

You can expect two more albums from the band soon, including a re-release of their catalog of singles and a record full of new songs. They hope to pile into a sprinter van and head up the East Coast to promote their new stuff and schedule more local shows over the summer. 

“As a band, I think success is if someone hears any of our music and it makes them feel anything at all, I think that we’ve done our job,” Hermoza said. 

Make sure to follow Choachi on Instagram (@_choachi) to keep up with their latest projects.

Lauren Sabia is a writer and digital creator born and raised in Metro Atlanta. She’s passionate about telling the stories of the people who shape the city, amplifying community voices, and striking up conversations that turn strangers into friends. Outside of work, you can find her on the Beltline or exploring Atlanta’s many vibrant neighborhoods.

Originally Published May 14, 2026